Pittsburgh-based firm completes clean energy project in Puerto Rico

Pittsburgh-based power management company Eaton announced the completion of a first-of-its-kind clean energy project in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on Friday.

The new Eaton microgrid advances reliable, sustainable energy at its Arecibo manufacturing facility where the company makes circuit breakers used in homes, buildings and industrial applications. Done in collaboration with Enel North America, the microgrid system is designed to substantially reduce the facility’s carbon footprint, boost energy resilience and bolster the community’s infrastructure. Officials said it was the largest clean energy microgrid in Puerto Rico, generating nearly 10 gigawatt hours of renewable energy annually.

“Communities and businesses everywhere need far more sustainable, resilient and affordable power,” said Mike Yelton, president of Americas Region, Electrical Sector at Eaton. “The projects at our Arecibo manufacturing facility provide a blueprint on how to put the energy transition to work—delivering important benefits for the community and our business. Together, with our longtime project partner Enel North America, we’re demonstrating the important role microgrids play in creating a robust energy infrastructure prepared to address the impact from climate change.”

The microgrid system will reduce energy consumption at the plant by 45 percent, cut emissions by 7,100 metric tons annually and reduce the facilities cost by nearly 20 percent. The energy project demonstrates Eaton’s Everything as a Grid approach to the energy transition that enables flexible energy systems. Officials said it will generate more than half of the facilities energy needs to help reduce emissions. The microgrid system incorporates 5 megawatts solar PV, approximately 1.1. MW battery storage and existing onsite generators.

The new microgrid is a welcome addition to Puerto Rico energy systems, the Governor said.

“In our administration, we continue to focus on Puerto Rico’s energy transformation that promotes increased renewable energy generation. I congratulate Eaton for continuing to invest in Puerto Rico and supporting this transformation with the building of a clean energy microgrid that will provide them with energy resiliency, while also reducing their carbon footprint,” said Gov. Pedro Pierluisi. “This is the type of project that we are working to see replicated throughout the island.”